Prayer

You can visit the World News this week in Prayer site by clicking H E R E.

Those who have served as missionaries and/or short term mission volunteers can recount numbers of instances when the protective guiding hand of God was evident. Severe accidents when human lives were spared; a miraculous rescue when the balance of life and death was in question; an immediate suspension of the natural forces to undergird missioners with a hedge of protection; an abundance of holy boldness when preaching in an area totally absent of Christian presence; or the recovery of a sick person in response to prayer; all are examples of times when missionaries are so very aware of the prayers being offered to God from supporting churches. Missionaries depend on our prayer support.

The prayers of a righteous person has great power in its effects. James 5:16b

A PRAYER FOR ALLEVIATING POVERTY

O God, we pray for a world where hunger has no chance to show its face.
We pray for a world where war and terror are afraid to leave their mark.
We pray for a world of hope unchained and lives unfettered.
Give us this day our daily bread.
All good gifts from the earth come from your generous hands.
Yet this abundance is not shared equally among us. While some are satisfied, others are starving.
Women often become victims of exploitation because they are desperate to feed and care for their children.
Father of all children, watch over your little ones who are poor and abandoned.
They cry for food.
The cold chills their bones. Their bodies suffer from disease.
They never know the tenderness of love.
Lord, gather these little ones under your wings that they may feel the care of your heart.
God of life. God of those who walk miles for water.
God of those whose only water supply is contaminated bringing death instead of life.
May water, clean and life-giving, be available to every creature.

May your will be done.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

The Prayer for Alleviating Poverty was adapted from:
Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, U.K.
World Day of Prayer Committee, Myanmar
A Prayer for Orphans, Xaverian Missionary Society, Burundi
Christian Aid, Great Britain

STEPS TO SUCCESSFUL PRAYER

Praise
Psalms 63:1-8, Luke 19:36-38
The Spirit of God responds to praise. As we express God’s awesome goodness the Holy Spirit surrounds us with a holy presence.

Waiting
Psalms 25:1-5, Isaiah 40:28-31 Lamentations 3:22-26
After expressing love to God in praise, wait and experience God loving us back.

Confession
Psalms 51:1-12, Psalms 130:1-8, 1 John 1:9
Sin is the greatest obstacle to our quality time with God. Seek God’s forgiveness for sins.

Intercession
Matthew 7:7-12, Matthew 9:37-38 1Timothy 2:1-7
Intercession is praying on behalf of another person or intervening for those who have crucial needs and/or perhaps for those who cannot or will not pray for themselves.

Petition
Matthew 21:21-22, John 14:12-14, James 4:2b-3
Asking God to meet needs for others and ourselves.

Thanksgiving
Psalms 105:1-5, Philippians 4:4-6
Express thanks for what God has done.

Meditation
Psalms 1:1-6, Mark 12:28-31
Meditation is an active process. Think about spiritual matters and how they relate to our lives.

Listening
Ecclesiastes 5:1-3, Habakkuk 2:20
Listen for instructions from God concerning activities for the day. God speaks in various ways, sometimes by a “still small voice” of the Holy Spirit. When we take time to listen God always speaks to us.

Praise
Psalms 150, Revelation 7:9-12
Just as we enter our prayer time with praise, we should leave in the same manner. Praising God surrounds us with an aura of glory.

"I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love."
~ Mother Teresa of Calcutta

You can donate directly to Emerging Mission Ministries, by sending contributions to
First United Methodist Church Missions ~ PO BOX 116 ~ FT BRANCH, INDIANA 47648